"I would like to personally confirm to the fans that yes, I have decided to leave THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. It has been a glorious 16 years and one of the greatest rides of my life. The constant support and love from the fans is not lost on me. I think I'll miss you the most."

Stafford wraps up her run in mid-June.

UPDATE #2:
Today (June 19) is Stafford's last day on set.

Said Stafford on Twitter: "I will air on the show through July into the beginning of Aug! There is much more to see!! VERY fun story with many twists!! Trust me!"

UPDATE #3 (July 26):
In the new issue of Digest, Y&R's Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) breaks her silence about the real reasons she left the show, how she'd feel if she was recast and what she plans to do now.

She also talks about how TPTB reacted to her decision to say good-bye to Genoa City.

"No one tried to make me stay, but in their defense, I was pretty definite about going," she says. "And I did it so there wouldn’t be any drama, so that they knew I wasn't going to play a negotiation game. I really care for everyone at the show. I established long-lasting relationships with them. And I wanted it to be all above-board. So I think they knew I was serious."

oh gosh why would she leave she only she can play phillis ....too many good actors are leaving or getting put out like kyle bring back the old one and abby plse plse bring them back these new ones don't suit the part

A stupid loss on Y&R's part. An actress of that caliber should not be hard to write for. Maybe there's someone from "Hollywood Heights" who needs a job as nuPhyllis? Do I see James Franco putting on a Jessica Rabbit wig?

Robin Christopher is being brought up A LOT. If this is Michelle's decision that's one thing but if this is on JFP and her start of ridding some of the vets, CBS has major problems. YR is once again as w\MAB has way too many recasts & newbies, I smell a rebellion coming to Sony, CBS & YR.

Everyone is keeping mum....I do see them once again in recast mode...with this story kicking into high gear about Summer's paternity, we have to have Phyllis on canvas. The recast will need to have chemistry with PB...on many things are going down right, death of Jeanne, JFP is out of control and AMcD for letting this blood bath happen.

I haven't been a Y&R fan since Bill Bell passed. He had such a vision and knew his characters and kept them true to who they were. Now we've had a revolving crew that keeps trying to reinvent the show in their own fractured image. This hubris will cost Y&R it's #1 spot.

I get that running a soap takes talent and experience that few have and that's why the same people keep ending up at another show when they've left a burning rubble behind them. Isn't it time to break this trend, educate some fresh talent and send some of these old behind-the-scenes mares to the glue factory?

Well, she's left the show before, and for many years, so she'll probably be back someday? In any event, she is not a must have Character for me. I mean, she's fine when on the show, but I also don't miss her when gone. Oh and somebody said they want the other Abby back, well, you can find her on GH and she doesn't hold a candle to the Actress she replaced - Julie Berman (sp).

Michelle IS Phyllis! She acts with such passion and will not be easy to replace. Another sad day for Y&R...first Jeanne ... now Michelle! I am still a life long fan but saddened by recent events. Best wishes Michelle ... hope to see you elsewhere!

No one is capable of replacing Michelle ... if this is similar JFP axing to firing the actor who played Kyle with the present incompetent replacement, it's clear Y&R will not stay #1 in the ratings for long. Michelle will be missed!

I am extremely sorry to see Michelle Stafford vacate the role of Phyllis. She is remarkably talented, and I will miss her presence on the Show. I have not cared for the numerous cast changes made of late - the Originals were better than their Replacements. I am glad that the role of Katherine Chancellor is being retired. Jeanne Cooper is irreplaceable, and so very missed!!!

I don't think they are going to replace her I think she is going to die off of the show. I think maybe in a car accident while she is franticky looking for Summer because she is going to go with Kyle and she is going to try and stop them. This is just what I have been thinking. I told my mom and aunt that Summer was Jacks when she was born and after Nick got the results yrs ago that she was his I told them she was goibg to end up being Jacks.

I have been a devoted fan of Y & R since Day 1. It has been my All Time Favorite. Phyllis always adds Drama but I don't think her leaving will hurt Y & R. She is a Great Actress and wish her the Best. Continued Success to My Favorite Soap and Please don't let anymore of the long standing actors go. Then I will have a Problem. The Loss of Katherin is a Very Huge One. Please don't dismantle what works........

I am so sad you are leaving. I think you are an amazing actress. Yes, I love the character, but I love Michelle too. You are "one of a kind"!! Would love to know what you've decided to do after this? I hope that in the near future we will see you on some other show, maybe even nighttime tv. It will never be the same without Phyllis. However, I wish you all the best in the future, whatever you decide to do. Hope you have a wonderful life. Will miss you dearly. And this is written by Ed's wife, not him, lol!!!

I love Phyllis, no one could ever replace her but thats better than killing her off so she at least has the option of returning. I read an article with Nick, and he was saying it was her decision to leave but he is very unhappy with her decision and he wishes her the best,so hopefully she will come back. She keeps everyone on their toes, great sense of humor. I will miss her very much, but wish her all the bast also.

Michelle Stafford is such an awesome person, from the causes she's involved with, the charities she supports, and her selflessness as a person! And then there's Phyllis! No one can or will ever be able to play Phyllis like Michelle! The Y&R is losing a great actor, but I'm sure whatever Michelle decides to do next, it's gonna be great!

Finally Phyllis gone! I was so upset that she got away with trying to kill Cricket and never liked her character because of that. I am tired of her meddling in every body else's life. I am not sure what the writers are up to with all the negative story lines, gambling, adultery, stealing etc. Seems like they are desperate. Still waiting to see what happens with Katherine's character. Lots of loose ends to tie up there. Have watched since day one but not sure how much more I can take.

I agree the new Kyle and Abby are terrible in those roles. Fine actors, but hard to watch in those roles. I LOVED the last Abby, the girl from The Guiding Light. She was incredible in that role. What a fire-cracker, fun interesting maturing character and her acting is fantastic. I like Phylis's character, but ouch, not always the acting. Michelle smiles when she's talking serious and it's very odd. She seems like a great person though when I've seen her on talk shows. Good luck.

I really hate to see michelle stafford leave y&r. Phyllis is my favorite character. I agree with those of you who feel that some of the newer characters should go: kyle, avory, tylor and fenn. Well I guess thats my cue. Exit, stage left. I envite all the michelle stafford fans to join me. After her last episode. I am divorcing y&r.

I am sooooo happy to see MS go she was always overacting throwing her hair around became very distracting I don't know why the director didn't tell her Michelle you have to try to get through a scene without touching your hair.

Michelle Staddford needs to stay Y R u Guys getting rid of her get rid of Sharon I hate the roll she plays. It shouldn't be hard to write 4 Phyllis, she will be terribly missed I love her she makes the show. Y&R SMDH!!!!!

Great actress and plays a terrific villainess. Problem is the writers overplayed the character to the point where it'd be okay to have a break from her. But I also loved Sandra Nelson in the role and would get a kick out of seeing her back. She played sultry, conniving, crazy evil to perfection, and with more conviction, range and nuance.

I was upset to read that Michelle Stafford has left Y&R. She has been my favorite star on the show since I began watching in 1983. She acts circles around most of the women on the show and has more chemistry than any of the female cast. I also do not like the new Abby and Kyle. All the blondes are so much alike that I cannot tell any of them are. And I don't care at all for Mr. Redaric. He cannot bring anything to the storyline, an d can 't act in any way. shape or form. I would like Summer if she didn't have fish lips! Too much collagan!!!

Michelle cannot be re-cast. She is Phyllis. If she does not come back then you have to kill off the character. There is no way anyone else can portray "Phyllis" like she can. BTW, I read several articles that had indicated that Hunter Haley King was not as pretty as the other actresses who played "Summer". Are you nuts?!?! She is stunning. I think she is really hot. Yes, I am a guy. I hear she may be leaving the show as well. Getting back to Phyllis........recasting her would be like recasting Victor, Nikki, Nicholas, or Jack. These actor's have been with the show so long that they are the characters. They have earned not to be recast. If they go then they should not be replaced.

When will Phyllis finally go? Will she be able to tell her story? Will Sharon get away with accessing what should have been a very restricted area to change paternity results? Oh gosh, as of today, it looks like Nick is going back to Sharon. That is the story line that will make me sick. It is definitely time for Sharon to go! She provides zero support to the show.